Snap-latching, snap-lighting electric lamps and methods for making same

ABSTRACT

A simple method of adapting basic electric bulbs having generally conventional shapes to serve as snap-latching, snaplighting electric lamps, and the lamps so produced.

United States Patent l-loran [45] July 1, 1975 {54 SNAP-LATCHING, SNAP-LIGHTING {56] References Cited ELECTRIC LAMPS AND METHODS FOR N TE STATES PATENTS MAKING SAME l,905,843 4/1933 Foulke 339/145 R x [76] Inventor: John J. Horan, 420 Quigley Ave., g ij -r' 4223 raun O wmow Grove 19090 3,480,816 ll/l969 P611611 339/145 R x [22] Filed: Sept. 13, 1971 3,555,341 l/l971 Curtis v. 339/145 R X [2!] App No 179 6 7 3,569,916 3/l971 Wood 339/145 R Related U.S. Application Data Primary ExaminerRichard E. Moore [63] Continuation-impart of Ser. Nos. 883,854, Dec. 8,

1969, abandoned, and Ser, No, 888,214, Dec 8, [57] ABSTRACT 1969 A simple method of adapting basic electric bulbs having generally conventional shapes to serve as snapiiii K385111111;1:111:1111111111111:11111176335376; latching Snap-"Ewing electric amps, and the lamps so 1581 Field 61 Search 339/144, 145, 176,59 L pmduced' 13 Claims, 29 Drawing Figures SNAP-LATCHING, SNAP-LIGHTING ELECTRIC LAMPS AND METHODS FOR MAKING SAME RELATED APPLICATIONS This Application is a continuation in part of Applications nos. 883,854 filed Dec. 8, 1969, now abandoned and 888,214 filed Dec. 8, 1969, now Pat. No. 3,722,088.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART It is well known that the mechanical force and electrical conductivity available in metallic springs can be applied to both the retention and the energization of electric lamps. Frictional holding means are even more extensively used.

Electric lamp bulbs, whether of the incandescent or gas-discharge types, are most often equipped with metallic Edison or screw bases for non-mobile service. The Edison base is the outstanding example of frictional holding means. The bayonet-type metallic bases, which are spring-biased from below to lock conductively into place within metallic sleeves via laterally projecting pins, are generally used in vehicles. In lowcandlepower applications tiny so-called wedge-base" lamps are often found. Lamps that terminate in a pair of stiff pins (bi-pin types) are often found in instruments, as, even more commonly, are those small lamps having a pair of soft flexible wire termini for solderedin connection.

The Edison or threaded-base lamp is produced in the most extensive range of sizes despite its relatively poor performance in small sizes and where vibration is present. The glass bulbs that are to be fitted with Edison bases are generally similar to those that will have bayonet bases. However, use of bayonet bases is generally confined to small sizes where wattage requirements are lower, though many of these small lamps operate at high heat levels.

These most common varieties generally taper conically or stepwise from head portions that are often very much larger in diameter than their small bases. Prior to insertion of the small ends into the caps or bases, the bulbs must be fitted with their energyradiating components, that is, filaments or glow electrodes, which have generally been assembled into a fairly complex structure called the stem press".

The stem press is inserted from the small open end of the envelope and its skirt or flared rim is welded to the small end of the envelope cone, after which the bulb is evacuated, special low-density gas mixtures often being inserted before the tip-off tube, projecting from within the stem press, is sealed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In this application, I apply new techniques to the basing of bulbs that have generally conventional forms of envelopes and stem presses as produced on existing lamp-making machinery. I do not use any of the conventional forms of bases or electrodes below the envelope.

I have found that virtually all of the conventional glass structures are susceptible to the slight modifications I introduce to enable them to perform in the manner of the snap-latching, snap-lighting lamps introduced in the above Patent.

While my modifications frequently are similar in general principles from one type of envelope to another,

they may vary widely in structural configuration when the bulbs have been formed in different types of machines. In this Application, I apply non-metallic coatings to the lower ends of the glass envelopes that locally increase the lateral dimension. These insulative deposits enable the lamps, when push-inserted into a springconstricting receptacle of proper configuration, to serve as insulative prying means for insulatively dilating the receptacle as the deposited-on coating passes through. enabling the receptacle to clamp onto the exposed terminals thereabove.

Many advantages, in addition to easy availability of manufacturing facilities, economy of manufacture, safety, and elimination of the cost of metallic bases and all of the problems associated with such bases, accrue from the inventive aspects introduced in the balance of this specification. in the claims, and in the drawings, which are not by way of limitation but of illustrating the wide range of approaches that are feasible for deriving the advantages of this invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The drawings listed below present certain representative forms of this invention:

FIG. 1 is an elevation of a snap-latching, snaplighting incandescent lamp of my invention;

FIG. 2 is an elevation at a right angle to FIG. 1', FIG. 3 is a base-end view of the lamp of FIGS. 1 and FIG. 4 shows the tubular plastic structure via which the modification of the glass bulb shown in FIG. 1 is achieved;

FIG. 5 is an elevation of the plastic tube of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a partly sectioned elevation of a neon lamp of construction generally similar to that of the incandescent lamp of FIGS. 1-3;

FIG. 7 is a lamp differing from that of FIG. 1 in the manner of electrode presentation to the receptacle;

FIG. 8 is a base-end view of the lamp of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is an appropriate cross-sectional configuration for the elastically distensible jaws of a receptacle for accommodating the lamp of FIGS. 7 and 8;

FIG. 10 is a lamp differing from FIGS. 1 and 6 in the manner of assembly of the insulative pilot portion;

FIG. 11 is a partly sectioned elevation ofa lamp having an elastomeric pilot portion;

FIG. 12 is an elevation at to FIG. 11, the pilot portion being sectioned;

FIG. 13 is an end view of the lamp of FIGS. 11 and 12;

FIG. 14 is a partly sectioned elevation of a lamp having a flared end seal of elliptical outline fitted with an insulative pilot portion,

FIG. 15 is a base-end view of the lamp of FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is an elevation at a right angle to that of FIG. 14;

FIG. 17 is an end view ofthe lamp of FIGS. 14-16 before application of the pilot portion;

FIG. 18 is an elevation of a lamp differing from that of FIGS. 14-17 in the method of application of the pilot portion.

FIG. 19 is an elevation of a miniature lamp of this invention;

FIG. 20 is an elevation at a right angle to the view of FIG. 19;

FIG. 21 is an end view of the lamp of FIGS. 19 and 20;

FIG. 22 is an elevation of a press-base type of lamp having a pilot portion in accordance with this invention:

FIG. 23 is an elevation FIG. 24 is an end view 23;

FIG. 25 is an elevation ofa "wedge-base" lamp configured in accordance with this invention;

FIG. 26 is an elevation at a right angle to the view of FIG. 25;

FIG. 27 is an end view of the lamp of FIGS. 25 and 26;

FIG. 28 is an elevation of another lamp like that of the Figs. immediately preceding, except that it has a different form of pilot portion;

FIG. 29 is an end view of the lamp of FIG. 28.

DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to FIGS. 1-5, the conical glass evelope 21 contains a filament 22 connected to lead-electrodes 23, 24, which are seen to pass from the stem press 25 around the bottom end 27 of the lamp and upwardly along the conical slope of envelope 21. The leadelectrodes here are 180 apart.

Plastic tubular segment 28, which may be homogeneous or optionally have a separately applied adhesive inner surface 29, is slipped over the bulb from the bottom end 21 as far as it will go and is then pinched at two points 30, 30. The pinch operation enables the removal of all slack and provides a taut fit over the tapered lower end of the lamp, for which the plastic skin now serves as an insulating pilot portion 31 after the appropriate thermal or other shrinking and hardening process is completed. Alternatively, a tape may be applied to provide the pilot portion, which will be larger in diameter at its upper end than the glass immediately thereabove.

It is not essential, of course, that the pinches 30, 30 be located directly opposite each other; if they are not, there will be room for a wider contact spacing on one side than the other. In such event the tapering conductive contacts or jaws of the elastically distensible mating receptacle 32, 33 can be of unequal width and the lamp-receptacle pair can be polarized. Such jaws 32, 33 of a receptacle will ride all the way up the flank of and over the upper end of the insulative pilot portion 31 when the lamp is pushed, bottom end 27 first, into its constricting receptacle. The jaws 32, 33 will then grip lead-electrodes 23, 24 respectively against the tapered glass envelope 21.

Referring now to FIG. 6, the envelope 21A of this glow lamp is similar to that of FIG. 1. One of the leadelectrodes 23A contains a bead resistor 36 for limiting current through the lamp. The tipoff 35A has been shortened to reduce the exposure of this sensitive portion to breakage.

Referring now to FIGS. 7-9, the lamp has an envelope 218 that is again similar to that of the lamp seen in FIG. 1; but the lead-electrodes 23B, 243 have been reverted downwardly over the pilot portion and pressed thereinto before this plastic is post-hardened in place by post-assembly heat polymerization.

A typical jaw 32B of the receptacle required by the lamp of FIGS. 7 and 8 is shown in FIG. 9. It is configured differently from those seen in FIG. 1 so that it will be cammed open by insertion of the lamp, as before;

at a right angle to FIG. 22; of the lamp of FIGS. 22 and but, instead of riding all the way up and over the pilot portion, it will advance only until its crease 34 is able to hook onto the upper edge of pilot portion 318, with one of the lead electrodes 23B, 24B trapped inside.

Referring now to FIG. 10, the pilot portion 31C is not made of a tubular segment but is rather a hot-dipped thermoplastic coating that is at least partly hardened in place before the upwardly inclined lead 23C is now reverted and bent downwardly over the dipped pilot portion 31C. Provision for the optional indexing finger 30C may be made in any of several ways. For example, a projection may have been previously formed into the glass. Alternatively, a small piece of plastic or other material may be applied locally either before the dipping operation or afterward directly upon the dipped pilot portion 31C.

Referring now to FIGS. 11-13, the leads 23D, 24D of this miniature neon lamp are bent upwardly around the flared joint 50 that seals the bottom end 27D of the conical glass envelope 21D to the stern press 25D. The leads 23D, 24D are held in place by elastomeric pilot portion 31D, which is molded around the flared joint 50D. Alternatively, the pilot portion 31D may be separately molded and bonded to the glass by an adhesive. Pilot portion 31D does not derive its piloting capability from a normally tapered shape as in other embodiments. Rather, its elastomeric structure deforms readily inwardly to a camming slope when it is subjected to the pressure of being forced downwardly between constricting receptacle jaws. The lead 23D in corporates an integral bead resistor 36D that may be seen from below in FIG. 13.

Referring now to FIGS. 14-17, the flared stem press sealing joint 50E is elliptical in shape. The pilot portion 31E is simply a segment of insulating plastic tape or laminate that is adhesively bonded across the bottom, parallel to the short axis of elliptical seal 50E, and thus holds lead-electrodes 23E, 24E in place against envelope 21E until they emerge above pilot portion 31D.

Referring now to FIG. 18, the view is comparable to that of FIG. 16. The glass envelope 21E and electrodes 23E and 245, the former being hidden, are identical with those of FIGS. 14-17. Pilot portion 37, however, is formed by a dipping operation, so seal 50E is completely hidden from view.

Referring next to FIGS. 19-21, this miniature bulb is generally similar to many of those that ordinarily terminate in a pair of pigtail leads intended for soldered connection into circuitry. In this instance, however, the leads are bent upwardly 23F, 24F along envelope 21F. This type of lamp has no separate stern press molded thereinto. It terminates in tipoff 35F. The pilot portion 31F again derives from a segment of tape or laminate which is hot-pressed and formed against the bottom end 27F of the bulb. Where polarization may be required, as in incandescent lamps having plural filaments, or certain applications for gas-glow lamps, the pilot portion 31F may have a flange type of indexing finger 38F that prevents misassembly wherever interfering structure has been provided on one side of the receptacle.

The press-base lamp seen next in FIGS. 22-24 has its tipoff 35G at the upper end. This form of lamp may, similarly, have a bit of plastic or segment of tape, etc., bonded thereon as a pilot portion 316 to enable this form of lamp also to become snap-lightingly coactive with a constricting receptacle. Whereas other Figures herein frequently show leads located on opposite sides. it is shown here. via leads 23G. 240, that the leads for my piloted lamps may optionally both be arranged on the same face 40 above pilot portion 310. Another op tion is the placement of twin keying fingers 42, 42 as shown, on the face of pilot portion 316 opposite the location of leads 23G, 246.

The lamp seen in FIGS. 25-27 has a glass structure configured in the manner of the 37 wedge-base" lamps, wherein the tip off 35H connection passes through the middle of the press. As seen, two pilot-portion seg ments of insulating material 46, 47 have been bonded to serve as twin pilot portions over the lower ends of each of the two wings 48, 49 of the press, thus enabling even this form of lamp bulb to acquire a snap-lighting character. Those portions of looped lead-electrodes 23H and 24H that are above the pilot portion segments 46, 47 become the electrode terminals of this new form of snap-lighting lamp.

The lamp of FIGS. 28 and 29 is similar to the preceding one. However, both leads 23], 24] are bent upwardly on the same side of their respective wings, 48], 49.]; and the insulating material that constitutes pilot portion 31] is so located and configured that snap action occurs only on the side where they are located. This lamp structure, with a broad, flat or slightly curved face on the opposite side of pilot portion 3]], permits unusually accurate placement of filament light sources in projectors, etc.

Many combinations will be immediately obvious to those skilled in the art as a consequence of my disclosures, without departing from the true scope of my invention. It is, accordingly, intended to include in the appended claims such portions and equivalents as may fall within this scope. I wish it understood that my invention is not to be limited to the specific forms to which I have limited descriptions, drawings, and claims for the sake of expeditious prosecution.

Therefore, I claim:

1. A method for endowing a baseless glass electriclamp body with a snap-latching, snap-lighting characteristic,

said method being applicable to a lamp body having a plurality of conductive leads issuing from the lower end thereof and comprising; reverting said leads divergently upward from said end and along the surface thereabove of said body; and

depositing upon said surface near said end and upon said leads below the upper ends of said leads camming overlay of insulative material,

said overlay being applied with its upper edge sufficiently thick as to constitute an outward step discontinuity with respect to said surface,

said leads extending upwardly beyond said upper edge of said overlay and being exposed to form electrical terminals thereabove,

whereby said body is converted to a snap-latching and snap-lighting lamp via the insulative separation of said terminals from said end by said overlay.

2. The method of claim 1, comprising also:

the subsequent step of downwardly reverting the upper ends of said leads from above said overlay outwardly of said overlay.

3. A method as in claim 1,

said overlay being formed from a segment of sheet material adhesively bonded upon said body.

4. A method as in claim I, said said insulating overlay being deposited upon said body from a fluid state.

5. A method as in claim 1,

said body having a generally vertical axis,

5 said overlay tapering generally outwardly of said axis said head containing therein a radiant energy source and having a wall at least partly transmissive of said energy;

a terminal section below said head;

a pair of outwardly facing electrical terminals supportably arrayed on said section;

at least two conductive leads communicating electrically between said source and respective said terminals,

said leads passing out of the lower end of said body and being reverted upwardly toward said section; and

camming means comprising a layer of insulative material deposited upon said body and said leads endwise of said section.

7. A lamp as in claim 6, said insulative material being elastomeric and including a depending skirt portion.

8. A lamp as in claim 6, said source including a pair of spaced electrodes in a gaseous glow medium,

5 a fused glass body and comprising:

a sealed head at the upper end thereof,

said head containing therein a radiant-energy source and having a wall at least partly transmissive of said energy;

40 an insulative overlay conformed laterally upon said body near the lower end thereof and tapering outwardly away from said lower end;

at least two conductive leads communicating electrically with said source and issuing from the lower end of said body,

said leads being reverted divergently upwardly and inwardly of said overlay,

said leads issuing from said overlay as terminals having surfaces that face generally laterally from said lamp,

said lamp being configured inwardly of said terminals for support thereof against lateral constriction by an extraneous receptacle.

10. A lamp as in claim 9 said leads being reverted downwardly to form termini upon the outer surface of said overlay.

11. A lamp as in claim 9,

said lamp having a generally vertical axis,

said insulative overlay including an outward projection angularly offset about said axis from said terminals.

12. A snap-latching, snap-lighting electric lamp having a fused glass body and comprising:

a sealed head at the upper end thereof,

said head containing therein a radiant-energy source and having a wall at least partly transmissive of said energy;

insulative overlay means deposited upon an outer surface of said body near the lower end thereof; and

at least two conductive leads communicating electrically with said source and issuing generally centrally from the lower end of said body,

said leads being reverted outwardly and upwardly beneath said means and issuing thereabove,

the upper edge of said means constituting a latching discontinuity for retention of said lamp in an elastically constricting receptacle,

the maximum span of said lamp, measured therethrough from an outer surface ofa said lead immediately above said overlay means, being less than the maximum parallel span measured directly therebelow through said means.

13. A snap-latching, snap-lighting electric lamp having an non-metallic body and comprising:

ergy;

a laterally outwardly camming portion adjacent the lower end thereof;

a terminal section intermediate between said head and said camming portion;

a pair of electrical terminals on said section and facing laterally outwardly therefrom;

at least two conductive leads communicating electrically between said source and respective said terminals,

said leads leaving the lower end of said body,

said leads reverting upwardly along said camming portion en route to said terminals,

said camming portion including a thin, conforming, outer layer of insulating material fixing said leads in position with respect to said body,

said lamp having a generally vertical axis,

the laterally outermost surface of said camming portion being angularly offset about said axis from said terminals. 

1. A method for endowing a baseless glass electric-lamp body with a snap-latching, snap-lighting characteristic, said method being applicable to a lamp body having a plurality of conductive leads issuing from the lower end thereof and comprising; reverting said leads divergently upward from said end and along the surface thereabove of said body; and depositing upon said surface near said end and upon said leads below the upper ends of said leads camming overlay of insulative material, said overlay being applied with its upper edge sufficiently thick as to constitute an outward step discontinuity with respect to said surface, said leads extending upwardly beyond said upper edge of said overlay and being exposed to form electrical terminals thereabove, whereby said body is converted to a snap-latching and snaplighting lamp via the insulative separation of said terminals from said end by said overlay.
 2. The method of claim 1, comprising also: the subsequent step of downwardly reverting the upper ends of said leads from above said overlay outwardly of said overlay.
 3. A method as in claim 1, said overlay being formed from a segment of sheet material adhesively bonded upon said body.
 4. A method as in claim 1, said said insulating overlay being deposited upon said body from a fluid state.
 5. A method as in claim 1, said body having a generally vertical axis, said overlay tapering generally outwardly of said axis from the lower end upwardly.
 6. A snap-latching, snap-lighting electric lamp having a fused glass body and comprising: a sealed head at the upper end thereof, said head containing therein a radiant energy source and having a wall at least partly transmissive of said energy; a terminal section below said head; a pair of outwardly facing electrical terminals supportably arrayed on said section; at least two conductive leads communicating electrically between said source and respective said terminals, said leads passing out of the lower end of said body and being reverted upwardly toward said section; and camming means comprising a layer of insulative material deposited upon said body and said leads endwise of said section.
 7. A lamp as in claim 6, said insulative material being elastomeric and including a depending skirt portion.
 8. A lamp as in claim 6, said source including a pair of spaced electrodes in a gaseous glow medium, one of said leads including therein a resistor located below said terminal section for limiting current flow therethrough.
 9. A snap-latching, snap-lighting electric lamp having a fused glass body and comprising: a sealed head at the upper end thereof, said head containing therein a radiant-energy source and having a wall at least partly transmissive of said energy; an insulative overlay conformed laterally upon said body near the lower end thereof and tapering outwardly away from said lower end; at least two conductive leads communicating electrically with said source and issuing from the lower end of said body, said leads being reverted divergently upwardly and inwardly of said overlay, said leads issuing from said overlay as terminals having surfaces that face generally laterally from said lamp, said lamp being configured inwardly of said terminals for support thereof against lateral constriction by an extraneous receptacle.
 10. A lamp as in claim 9 said leads being reverted downwardly to form termini upon the outer surface of said overlay.
 11. A lamp as in claim 9, said lamp having a generally vertical axis, said insulative overlay including an outward projection angularly offset about said axis from said terminals.
 12. A snap-latching, snap-lighting electric lamp having a fused glass body and comprising: a sealed head at the upper end thereof, said head containing therein a radiant-energy source and having a wall at least partly transmissive of said energy; insulative overlay means deposited upon an outer surface of said body near the lower end thereof; and at least two conductive leads communicating electrically with said source and issuing generally centrally from the loWer end of said body, said leads being reverted outwardly and upwardly beneath said means and issuing thereabove, the upper edge of said means constituting a latching discontinuity for retention of said lamp in an elastically constricting receptacle, the maximum span of said lamp, measured therethrough from an outer surface of a said lead immediately above said overlay means, being less than the maximum parallel span measured directly therebelow through said means.
 13. A snap-latching, snap-lighting electric lamp having an non-metallic body and comprising: a sealed head at the upper end thereof, said head containing a radiant-energy source and having a wall at least partly transmissive of said energy; a laterally outwardly camming portion adjacent the lower end thereof; a terminal section intermediate between said head and said camming portion; a pair of electrical terminals on said section and facing laterally outwardly therefrom; at least two conductive leads communicating electrically between said source and respective said terminals, said leads leaving the lower end of said body, said leads reverting upwardly along said camming portion en route to said terminals, said camming portion including a thin, conforming, outer layer of insulating material fixing said leads in position with respect to said body, said lamp having a generally vertical axis, the laterally outermost surface of said camming portion being angularly offset about said axis from said terminals. 